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So are we. Also the cover and back of the cover is not included in the page
number.
At one point, the books we produced had consecutive numbers that did not map
one-to-one with the PDF page number precisely because the cover and "front
matter" was unnumbered, and the TOC started on page 1 (print) or page 3
(PDF) (this was also an issue some years ago when we first started
publishing in PDF). This is hugely problematic with users (reviewers and
clients - not actual users of the product, since we never get feeback from
them) because some of them will reference the PDF page number and some will
reference the printed page number. The only way we (the doc department)
could reach consensus about how to avoid that problem was to go back to
chapter numbering, so we could tell the difference between the PDF page
number and the printed page number.
I've worked in all sorts of enviromnemts, but if I'm asked to provide
consecutive page numbers, I lobby strongly for the cover being page 1.
-Wendy
On Fri, Dec 4, 2009 at 9:28 AM, Pinkham, Jim <Jim -dot- Pinkham -at- voith -dot- com> wrote:
> We're still using Roman numerals for front matter, Bee, and page numbers
> of the 7-14 variety.
>
> Jim
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jim.pinkham <techwr-l-bounces%2Bjim.pinkham>=
> voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
> Behalf Of beelia
> Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 9:52 PM
> To: Al Geist
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Chapter-page numbering, reasons for
>
> Fascinating discussion, especially the historical perspectives on
> printing technology. I remember cold type too - the smell of the ink,
> and the sound of the press. My uncle was a printer, and this thread
> brought back some fond memories.
>
> I'm in the "it depends" camp on chapter page numbering. I think
> Madelyn's "green" argument is most compelling, but others made great
> cases for keeping it simple.
>
> This discussion also made me wonder if one of my page-numbering pet
> peeves is shared by anyone else. Are roman numerals for front matter a
> thing of the past? My company's template goes from Title page to 2.
> That seems stylistically abhorrent, but maybe it's something I should
> just get used to. Any takers for extending this interminable
> conversation?
>
> Al, you have us all beat with your story about "Mushing". I hope your
> unique piece of Americana ended up in a museum somewhere.
>
> Bee
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 6:17 PM, Al Geist
> <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>wrote:
>
> > Madelyn Boudreaux wrote:
> >
> > "I concede that if it's just down to "easier for writer" vs "easier
> > for user," we should err toward the user. But when trees get tossed
> > into the mix, I will typically err toward the environment, within
> reason."
> >
> >
> > Unfortunately, our customers want their manuals printed on "clean room
>
> > paper;" although, most will probably end up on a shelf somewhere and
> > never be opened because a phone call to Customer Service is easier.
> >
> >
> > "I also have to refer to the existing manuals a good bit, and yes, it
> > can be a pain to find the right page. 7-14 may be 75 pages in, or it
> > may be 150 pages in, and you just don't know."
> >
> > I've never had that problem. I scan the bottom of the pages as I
> > proceed to the page I want. To me it's easier finding page 7-25 than
> > it is page 175, so I guess the use of chapter number-page number is
> > relative. In Acrobat, I use the TOC to get me in the ball park.
> >
> > "Still, that's maybe 6 seconds vs 3 seconds (I just timed myself,
> > picking random numbers -- 3-17 in a printed manual and 42 in the
> > MSMoS), so it's not a huge hit on my productivity."
> >
> >
> > I think you hit the nail on the head here...we aren't talking hours.
> > We are talking seconds, which is the overall scheme of things doesn't
> > matter. As for your use of plastic tabs...plastic tabs are more
> > environmentally destructive than not tabs. However, I personally don't
>
> > use them because they also add to the manual's cost and in these
> > financial times, cost savings is paramount. (Then again, how much does
>
> > it cost in labor to take 6 seconds to locate information that could
> > take 3 seconds?)
> >
> >
> > Al Geist
> > Technical Communicator, Help, Web Design, Video, Photography
> > Office/Msg: 802-872-9190
> > Cell: 802-578-3964
> > E-mail: al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com
> > Website: www.geistassociates.com
> > See Also:
> > Fine Art Photography
> > Website: www.geistarts.com
> >
> > "...I walked to work, quit my job, and kept walking. Better to be a
> > pilgrim without a destination, I figured, than to cross the wrong
> > threshold each day." (Sy Safransky)
> >
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